The owners of The Stuffed Pepper have announced plans to close the doors after five years.

John and Rose Palladini are hosting a potluck buffet starting at 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 3, the last day the restaurant at 1601 Duss Ave. will be open. They have also put out a "last call" on their pulled pork.

"A lot of people are upset we're closing," said John Palladini.

The Stuffed Pepper served a mix of American and ethnic foods, such as stuffed cabbage and meatballs, and made their own breads and sauces.

In 2010, Rose Palladini said the restaurant saw groups of workers coming in for lunch and business was doing well.

She believes having the Ambridge-Aliquippa Bridge close for repairs twice in two years hurt business. During construction, she said there were fewer customers, many of whom traveled from across the river.

"The bridge closing was a bad omen for everybody," she said.

The Palladini's have always been in the restaurant business and Rose said they really wanted to have a place in their hometown.

"We put our heart and soul into this place," she said. "I was here every day."

The owners are now selling off everything—equipment, furnishings, dishware--and accepting reasonable offers.

Are you sorry to see The Stuffed Pepper go? What would you like to see in that spot once the store leaves?